Eel Trap Results 2015 !

Very good news and great to see you

Here is a pic of the little blighters

Hey chaps

I am struggling for time tomorrow, is anyone heading down ?

I can go down sat. Morning probably about 10.30. Gonna be on my own I think.

Okay thanks mate, sorry am a bit challenged in terms of time this weekend

I am going to drop by midweek as its warmer and should be looking a 2 checks now.

Ok nice one. I've got next week off for angling purposes so will probably spend some time at the weir chucking feeders at the slimy things.

Result today folks 49 of the wriggling variety and 1 crabster. Think Eds got some photos that he can post when he gets a mo.

The large syphon had stopped, here are the instructions on how to re-start it

1. Make sure that the top end of the syphon hose is held under water.  It should be wedged pointing downwards between the "H" of the girder there. Give it a shake in case a leaf or something has been sucked in & blocking it.
(awaiting photo)

2. Fetch the hand pump from the plastic box in the lockkeepers hut


3. Screw the white adapter into the end of the large syphon pipe
(I forgot to take a photo with the syphon stopped - if its running any worse than this it might have air inside and be worth re-priming it)


4. Adapter screwed in to large syphon pipe.


5. You are going to be pumping water from the trap BACK UP the syphon.  So the other red hose is going to suck water in to the pump - ensure that it is kept under water in the trap.
This has 2 benefits: -
(a) it will push any debris which has been sucked into the syphon from the top, back out the way it came
(b) it's the only way of priming the syphon which actually works - the pump is not strong enough to suck the air downwards nor push it downwards from the top
You'll likely need to pump quite a few times, maybe 50 pumps.  You should firmly hold the base of the pump to prevent the pressure hose being ejected from it and the base of the pump being forced off the cylinder.  Try not to break it, it was only a cheap thing and won't take much abuse.


6. You can tell by feeling the weight of the syphon hose (further up at the top of the weir) when all the air has been ejected.  Unscrew the white adapter and the syphon should be running, like this


7. Drain any water out of the pump and hoses before putting it back in its box.

Eel photos from 13th June 2015



Mistress of measurement!

Good work chaps, Ed noted about the hand pump

Popped down after work and another 30 were recoreded.

If anyone is around Thursday please feel free, lots coming up, the I will be down for 10am on Saturday.

Going to pop down there tomorrow about 10 for coffee at shawns. Will meet anyone else there who is coming.

See you there mate

Every time I see a photo of these little beggars I can't help imagining a a hook and a big Perch or Chub.................

Dave, Nicola and myself went and checked the eels yesterday there were 12 no crabs and a really small bullhead or stone loach don't really know as it was v. Tiny. The siphons were still running but there was so little water downstream the eels had to make a bit of an amphibious assault up the beach to get at the trap. Dave made a bit of a channel to help out.

Chaps wanted to check if anyone is heading deon Sat am?

I will try to get down

Okay thanks mate, let me know if you are, I cant get over Saturday, so would have to be Sunday at best, or I will go on the way home tonight which maybe better.

If there is anyone who has not been involved and would like to, please let us know

This is our 4th year looking after the Molesey trap and its incredibly rewarding helping to monitor the progress of Eels up the Thames and helping them on their way upstream.

Yeah I'm going down there fishing so will see you there Ed.

See you there a bit after 10am.

Today's results - 14 eels

Nice work chaps

We 100% need midweek checks as they are going to roast in that trap. I will try tomorrow but have flowershow parking challenges , then we should lalso be checking Thursday, and may ask Joe is no one is about, but is a work day of course for us all.

I could do Thursday Dave.

Superb yes please Neil, thank you.

I've just queued for 10 mins in traffic trying to get to Sunbury Cross roundabout and got nowhere. It appears that it is solid traffic all the way to Hampton as it's the flower show. Can anyone get there from the other way?

Edited coz of stupid small keyboard on mobile

Sorry Neil, sounds a nightmare.

Not sure if you abandoned it or not but I would have, bloody flower show, arghh.

I will try later as cant do tomorrow, hopefully mid afternoon will be Ok....